Students across the country are being encouraged to engage with stories that highlight community and cultural connections as part of November’s Read Across America book selections. The initiative aims to help students see their role in their communities through literature.
For elementary readers, “I Love Salmon and Lampreys” by Brook M. Thompson follows Brook’s path from a young enthusiast of fish to becoming a scientist and activist. The story draws on her Yurok and Karuk heritage, focusing on her efforts to protect the Klamath River, honor her ancestors, and contribute to environmental conservation.
Middle grade students are introduced to “On a Wing and a Tear” by Cynthia Leitich Smith. The novel centers on Melanie “Mel” Roberts, a Muscogee-Odawa girl, and Ray Halfmoon, her Cherokee-Seminole friend. Together with Ray’s grandfather and the legendary Great-Grandfather Bat, they embark on an adventurous road trip aiming to help the injured Bat participate in a crucial rematch of the Great Ball Game between Birds and Mammals.
For young adult readers, “Where Wolves Don’t Die” by Anton Treuer tells the story of Ezra, an Ojibwe ninth grader who is wrongly accused of arson and murder. To escape suspicion, his father sends him from Minneapolis to spend time running traplines with his Grandpa Liam in remote Canada.
Additional resources for Read Across America are available for educators seeking more materials for their classrooms.
